Racer X

Ahhh where that's where we will disagree then. These are the sort of comments I often haerd advanced when the footie club moved out of Elm Park! I am convinced that over the last 3 or 4 years Reading has seen a number of decent attedances and has a solid hardcore of support. I have little doubt that had Pat Bliss been Promoting the operation would still be a viable one. It's difficult for a new Promotion to come in and hit the ground running. The right wages have to be paid accross the sport across the countries for the sport to survive long term. The people I have spoken to who are "casuals" are casuals becuase Speedway generally at Reading doesn't feel special. The seats are pretty uncomfortable, the terracing worse, the bars are basic, the viewing from the bar less than ideal, the toilets are bad and the catering very basic. I am sorry, but with these sorts of facilities, any operation is on a hiding to nothing. Even though for the average committed speedway fan the facilities are fine, they aren't for the less than committed fan or especially new blood - these people want more. I may be blinded by my love for the club, but I don't think so. Of course yesterday's event attracted people who were there more for the event than the speedway but neither of us will know just how many wouldn't come back if the package was a good one. I fevervently believe that in a nice compact well appointed stadium, a decent operation can be made to work at Reading. Speaking to a number of people in senior positions last night, that's not an outrageous view to hold it seems. Lets hope the optimisim can be bourne out. I would hazard a guess there are not many speedway tracks making any money at the moment and if the sport is to survive it still has to cut its cloth accordingly.

I do actually realise that last night was a one off (!) but my point is that there is that potential of a base of fans to draw upon and a realistic level of 2/3 that would still provide a very good level of attendance indeed. Couple that with facilities that would keep those punters coming back - or improve the crowd levels - there are sound commercial reasons for believing there could be decent attendances in a new stadium. Yes we have had big crowds before but these punters have often been lost because you average Jack and Jill won't put up with poor facilities any more - and that's what Smallmead had. Speedway in more comfortable surroundings is what has been needed for a good five years in Reading, let's hope the opportunity arises to prove my theory correct! I for one was mightilly encouraged by the support that came out last night for a field that wasn't the strongest.

The track grade allowed him to beat Mads did it? Ulrich was superb apart from that one ride when he even the Big O found no place to pass. All in all a very emotional night and a tremendous event with which to bid farewell to Smallmead... I can't help feeling that a major part of my life has just suddenly slipped away and I am left with a feeling of mourning, especially after seeing a packed Smallmead and a great event like last night. The old legends were all in good form with Dave Mullett and Petri Kokko (amongst a lot of others!) both in great vintage form and both looking fit as fiddles. Lovely to hear a commentary from Dave Lanning, and great to see the old Reading Promoter back at Smallmead. Let's hope that the great attendance last night helps convince the powers that be that a speedway operation is viable in the town and together with the Racino we will be back in 2010. My thanks to everyone involved in Reading Speedway on and off the track for the last 300 odd years. Next season is going to be very hard on us all.....

Does that pie tatste good?

Congrats to Worky - great top two well deserved. Time for some humble pie to be eaten methinks young subby....

Interesting comments as ever Iris! I was hoping that Jurica might appear somewhere in the UK this year, but he seems to have set his mind on completing studies in his homeland and riding in Poland? He has always looked a rare talent - and I think it has done him some good not riding under the pressure that some teenagers do both here and in other leagues. As soon as a talented 16 year old starts making some decent scores - be he Swedish, Polish or from the UK - he's suddenly going to be world champ. He'll be 19 this tear I think, and Chris Holder is 20 - neither have had that microscope exposure that goes on with some of the emerging riders in the leagues these days.

Can anyone tell me what happened to Patrick Hougaard in Tarnow's big defeat? I see he only scored 2 but there was a write up on him that my grasp of Polish (= zilch!) can't translate...

Oi! Let's have a bit of clarity here and avoid the rubbish shall we? I seem to recall it was alleged that Reading's previous owners BSI owe him money - I'm unaware of how how that finished, but it certainly wasn't the case with the new management, and doesn't explain pulling out of a Reading meeting in advance and then riding a Grand Prix does it? I don't recall any riders claiming Malcolm Holloway and Mark Legg didn't pay them what they owed. I'm not sure that Matej's 2007 team mates would agree with your assessment of his team ability but then again things may be different from where you view them. I am a Zagar fan and the fact he won't be riding in this country from the start of 08 is a blow to both speedway here (in my opinion - I realise not in some others ) and to the rider himself. I would be willing to wager that Zagar will be the first rider back in the UK when the injuries start - bad rep or not. I hope Matty gets his career back on track next season - surely not even his most ardent fan would claim that he didn't make some serious errors last season, and needs to put these behind him if he is to realise the glorious potential of his natural talent.

I have to say that Sitera's choice of the outside gate was perhaps not his wisest move at Reading. Lemo had the better start position of gate 3 and knew his chief opposition would come from Sitera whom he blocked well, and it cost Sitera big time. Sitera may be fast but he showed a little inflexibility there. He was not in any way gaining on Hougaard though before the Dane's bike threw a chain as he battled Stojanowski. I will be very surprised indeed if Sitera is better than Holder - we'll have to see on that one. Lewis Bridger is perhaps not best suited to the bigger tracks normally but he is in top form at the minute. But Sitera made an excellent debut on the Reading track, I would just like to know how well he'd fare on a track without a pulling outside run.

I can tell you exactly.... 8.88. Simota finished on 4.44 for Reading this year and is a surefire bet for progress next year. Riders like him will be gold dust. IF we dropped PL next year I would be very surprised if he raced PL - I would be very hapy but I just can't see it happening. Grachan - I have answered your question on the 38 points thread on the EL section as I think it is best placed there. Throughly interesting meeting and I must admit my interest in the sport has been much rekindled by yesterday's event. I think Reading are best placed in PL racing, I just don't think there will be enough room or riders avilable for us to be allowed to build a decent side in EL. "Balls of steel" Big H? That's exactly the phrase I used to a work colleague this morning describing Ben - am I turning into you or are you turning into me? Either way its enough to scare everyone on the forum!

Ben Barker 5.99 Sam Simota 8.88 Chris Schramm 5.91 Patrick Hougaard 8.00 Chris Mills 5.96 Mark Lemon 8.64 Filip Sitera 8.00 Not in that order Or under a 40 point limit! Only just over 11 points over the limit

I can't believe that Krzysztof Stojanowski only has a 6.86 average after seeing him ride last night - he was top quality and a very able and quick rider. How come he's stuck on that rather modest mark in the PL? Filip Sitera looked very quick indeed too - and should continue to turn heads with his riding. Good luck in supporting Chris Johnson - its such terrible luck for the kid.

If someone gets Barker on some EL standard equipment I reckon Reading could do a far worse job than get him in at reserve next year, ideally doubling up with a 'smaller' PL track than he's been used to. Easily the most entertaining visitor to Perry Barr this season. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I've always been impressed with this lad ever since we lost out on him to Oxford as a youngster. (And for me to stay keen on a rider whipped away by Oxo means he must be decent!) The BSI trials seem to have left him as a Reading asset again though and I would not object to PL racing in the least (not that I would anyway) if we saw this lad week in week out. He has the Chris Harrises about him - and you are right Col, like Chris if he goes on top quality machinery he will really start to fly. PL or EL I hope we see the guy more often at Smallmead next year. Hougaard too had an efficient meeting and rides a nice inside line too - all too rare these days. All the riders interviewed said how much "fun" it was to ride Smallmead - that's good news for getting riders to ride for Reading but shows how little home track advantage we have, and I still think that's something Wellie and co have to work on no matter what league we are in. I tend to get the impression that the top teams' management think there is nothing wrong with EL speedway and will run pretty much "as you were" with no significant help fo the half of the table that was so uncompetitive this year. That's folly in my opinion and certain promotions previously belived to be forward thinking now cannot see past their own 2008 line ups. Its like Oxford never happened and nothing was wrong at EAstie, Reading or PB.... PS Very impressed with Minder Man on the mic - he has a very sharp wit and is excellent entertainment these days. All in all a very enjoyable (if long!) show last night. Now we face a month of speculation and some more damaging times I would suggest.

A really excellent meeting in memory of Denny - hopefully we will have more like this in future. Sitera was very impressive indeed for his first visit to the track, but Ben Barker delivered a couple of the most exciting races seen all year at Smallmead. His pass of Chris Schramm was heart in mouth total bravery around the outside. Hougaard was good as well (although he has to work on his starting) Lemo was excellent, hard in the first turn, and really top value. Stojanowski very impressive too - much better than I remember him with IoW, although he made a decent debut at Smallmead I seem to remember. Other good shows from Glanz, Mear, and a great leg out heat win from McConnell. A cracking meeting, lots of interest, but still no real hints as to where Reading will be next season....

I too am looking forward to the meeting. Latest news is that Hawkins replaces Walker who has sadly suffered a family bereavment... REVISED RIDING ORDER FOR MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2007, Tapes-up 7.30 p.m. 1. Ritchie Hawkins; 2. Ben Barker; 3. Chris Neath; 4. Cory Gathercole; 5. Nicki Glanz; 6. Krzysztof Stojanowski; 7. Robert Mear; 8. Chris Schramm; 9. Patrick Hougaard; 10. Rob Smith; 11. Charlie Saunders; 12. Billy Legg; 13. Chris Mills; 14. Mark Lemon; 15. Filip Sitera; 16. Shawn McConnell; 17. Paul Starke (Reserve). Referee: R. Allan.